Kimilili Member of Parliament (MP) Didmus Barasa has weighed in on the controversial Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Addressing a congregation, Barasa underscored that the program was marred with various issues making it difficult for Kenyans to access healthcare. He particularly asserted that several Kenyans were paying the price for the inefficiency of those mandated to ensure a smooth transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA.
Barasa additionally pointed out that those who failed to do their job by ensuring that Kenyans see a smooth transition should start counting their days because several Kenyans were suffering.
“Mimi nakubaliana na wakenya, sisi i tulibadilisha sheria, tukatoa NHIF tukaeka SHA na SHIF, na hii SHA na SHIF, watu wakienda kutibiwa kwa mahospitali, wanahangaika sana, wanasumbuliwa, kwengine hawajakua captured kwa system, wengine wakikua discharged inachukua muda mrefu ndio waambiwe wamelipiwa pesa yao waende nyumbani.
“Kuna wafanyikazi walipewa pesa ya kuajiri watu wa kuhahikisha smooth migration from NHIF to SHIF na wananchi wote wasiumie, wale wafanyikazi wote wanamanage SHIF na SHA na kulipwa mshahara na wakenya, kama hawataweka bidii waondoke wakikimbia, kwa sababu wakenya hawaezi kuumia tena,” he said.
Barasa’s comments come after a widespread national debate after the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) castigated the Kenya Kwanza government over the issues ailing the country’s health sector and poor governance.
In their speech, the men of the cloth raised pertinent issues including abductions, disappearances and the increasing cases of femicide in the country.
They also weighed in on the increasing rates of taxation that have made life unbearable for Kenyans and the initial proposals on the presidential term limit.
“The culture of lies is swiftly replacing the integrity and respect that Kenyans deserve. Basically, it seems that truth does not exist, and if it does, it is only what the government says. Unfortunately, it seems that the Kenyans have helplessly tolerated the lies told to them constantly by the politicians. Kenyans must learn not to applaud or validate the lies that the politicians tell them, but rather must resolve to seek and be led by the truth,” the bishops stated.
“This culture of lies, unkept promises, and misplaced priorities is unacceptable and needs to be dealt with,” they insisted.
The comments by te bishops seemed to have rattled feathers in the Kenya Kwanza regime as majority led by the President, immediately responded to their remarks.